Magnet schools: Seminole Ridge High School Construction Academy students build a modular home for Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County – turning in their assignment five months ahead of schedule. Palm Beach Post.
Charter schools: The Pinellas County School Board votes unanimously to approve an application for the district’s first Montessori charter school, which would serve about 200 students. Tampa Bay Times. More from The Tampa Tribune.
Teacher evals: A panel of appellate judges orders the state Department of Education to release controversial teacher performance data. The Buzz. More from the News Service of Florida and Florida Times-Union. Nearly 68 percent of Seminole County teachers earned top-notch, “highly effective” evaluations last year compared to fewer than 7 percent in Orange County. Orlando Sentinel. If the purpose of revamping teacher evaluation is to improve teaching and learning, then it’s worth it for states and school districts to take time to get it right, writes Laura Bornfreund for the Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher pay: Duval County teachers and other school workers will receive about $18.9 million in bonuses. Florida Times-Union.
Teacher of the year: Thirty-three Santa Rosa County teachers are up for the title of the district’s Teacher of the Year. Pensacola News-Journal.
Conduct: The state has disciplined eight area teachers and former teachers for incidents that allegedly happened both inside and outside their classrooms. Sun Sentinel.
Honor roll: A Pasco County parent is upset that her son’s grades, which include a C and a D, land him on the honor roll. Tampa Bay Times.
Sex ed: Hoping to slash the high numbers of HIV/AIDS cases in Broward County, the school district wants to offer a more inclusive and updated sexual health curriculum. Sun Sentinel.
Fundraising: The Palm Beach school district considers partnering with a local credit union to create an affinity card that helps the district raise money. Palm Beach Post. Organizers of Ed Spark, an online crowdfunding site, tout an upcoming competition for funds expected to draw 150,000 participants for a shot at some of $300,000 in prize money. Florida Times-Union.
No smoking: The Polk County school district adopts a smoking ban in schools, and at events on or off campus. The Ledger.
School attorneys: The Polk County School Board unanimously approves extending contracts for their attorney and internal auditor. The Ledger.
School safety: The lack of a fence at a Brevard County elementary school raises security concerns. Florida Today.
National spotlight: Students from Roosevelt Elementary in Cocoa Beach will be featured on the NFL Network for their commitment to fitness. Florida Today.
Athletic transfers: A Sickles High School senior who transferred from Jesuit High can play football this year, if the Hillsborough County School Board approves. Tampa Bay Times.
